TNT Sports Grows Rugby Portfolio
TNT Sports has secured the live UK and Ireland broadcast rights for HSBC SVNS, rugby sevens’ annual global competition.
The two-year deal, which runs until the end of the 2025 season, comes after the first three rounds of the 2023-24 series have been completed.
The recently rebranded competition will be available on TNT Sports and discovery+ for the first time when the HSBC SVNS heads to Vancouver in western Canada from 23rd to 25th February.
The series, which features the world’s best men’s and women’s sevens sides taking part in a series of three-day tournaments, is also set to head to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Singapore, before it culminates in the grand Finale in Madrid.
TNT Sports will broadcast Antoine Dupont’s HSBC SVNS debut in Vancouver this weekend after the the former France men’s captain decided to take a Test rugby sabbatical to play for his country at the upcoming Olympics in Paris. He has been now selected to appear in the Canadian leg of the HSBC SVNS circuit.
Trojan Paillot, Senior Vice President, Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndication, Warner Bros. Discovery Europe, said, “In a historic year for the sport, we’re pleased to further expand our huge and varied premium rugby offer for fans in the UK and Ireland.
“With men’s and women’s HSBC SVNS now available alongside Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Women’s Rugby, as well as all the rugby from Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer, there is something on offer for every rugby fan on Warner Bros. Discovery Sports platforms.”
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin, commented, “We are excited to team-up with TNT Sports to showcase the vibrant HSBC SVNS in UK and Ireland all the way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.
“The revamped HSBC SVNS has already captured hearts and minds since the beginning of the season and we are delighted to bring its iconic destinations, fantastic action on the pitch and immersive music and food experiences off it on the TNT Sports channels. This partnership will help broaden the reach and appeal of rugby sevens in a hugely exciting time for the sport.”
The deal strengthens TNT Sports’ growing rugby roster. In November, the UK pay-television channel announced a multi-year deal to present live coverage of the Allianz Women’s Premiership Rugby, adding to its live coverage of Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
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